The Bicycle: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

One of the things I love about cycling is how fun and yet practical it is. I never really thought about how safe it can be for young girls and women in countries where physical safety is a daily concern. Just getting to school, to a well for water, or to stores and shops for food can be rife with danger. Fortunately, bicycles continue to be a trusty source of speed and safety as well as being low in environmental impact. This year, as my Christmas gift to myself, I decided to donate a bicycle to a girl through World Vision so that she can get to school quickly and safely. After talking to the folks at World Vision and studying them online, I found that they not only help provide bikes and encourage entrepreneurship, but they also continue to provide help to other organizations with similar ideas.

I like knowing that something as simple as a bicycle will provide safety, pleasure and help many times over. This puts me in the Christmas spirit! :-)

Miles: 6

Buy Nothing Day

I have a confession to make: I have never, in my entire life, gone shopping the day after Thanksgiving. As a child I lived in a very small town where stores were locally owned and operated and closed at Thanksgiving for two days. As an adult, I simply could not fathom getting up at 4:00 AM for the sake of a new TV. Some people call the holiday season a "shopocalypse" and I'd have to agree.

Fast forward to 2005 when I stumbled upon the Adbusters campaign for Buy Nothing Day. I find BND funny, irreverent, and smart. I can't imagine pulling myself away from a warm fire, time with my family and friends, and well-deserved rest in order to stand in line in the cold for things I don't need. Moreover, most people will put this stuff on credit cards they can't afford to pay in full later--so all those "deals" will cost them at least 9% or more over time. Given our personal and national debt it doesn't seem like much of a deal to me.

Happy ThanksGIVING!

Miles: 2

Recipe Wednesday

I have not had a lot of time to cook over the past month but one thing I *do* have time for is crock pot hot cereal in the winter. I have eaten oatmeal in the winter most of my life (thanks Dad!) and recently discovered oat groats which are the whole oat grains before being rolled into flakes ala Quaker Oatmeal. You can buy oat groats at Clover's or Hy-Vee in bulk. However, groats take longer to cook and I don't have time right now to stand over the stove stirring---thus, crock pot oats. This breakfast is quick, easy, inexpensive, and insanely good for you!

Crock Pot Oat Groats

1 1/2 cup oat groats
4 cups water
pinch salt
1 stick of cinnamon

Place the oat groats on the bottom of the crock pot nearest heat source. Add the salt to the water and gently pour over the oats. Toss in a stick of cinnamon and set cooker to low. I started mine at 10 PM last night and ate at 7:00 AM this morning. I added maple syrup and some small pieces of toasted walnuts and it was delicious!

Enjoy!

Miles: 6

Making eye contact

Yes, I am on a Street Films kick! Can't help it. Regardless, I find it hard to make eye contact with drivers. I *do* think that turning my head and at least attempting to make eye contact lets drivers know that I am aware they are there and not in my own little world. This has helped me avoid nasty situations a few times (usually in parking lots).

What do you guys think?

Miles: 6

Safety-N-You

(Another little Street Films gem)

I think the Confident City Cycling classes could use this video. I KNOW it would have made an impression on me (I am sure I would have stopped wearing white after Labor Day).

Miles: 1.5 :-D

More Veronica Moss.....

I find this character from Street Films hilarious!

My favorite line: "You're complicit in your own oppression!" (so true!)

Miles: 10.37 -- Biked to church and home then later to the movies. Great day to be on a bike! :-D

The Plight of the North American BiPeds

We must do something NOW to help this poor, blighted species.